A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Barton leaves Newcastle to become a Ranger
JOEY Barton finally signed a highly lucrative four-year contract at QPR yesterday after it became apparent no other club were poised to make a late offer for him and Newcastle United would not perform a volte-face.
The midfielder, handed a free transfer by Newcastle after criticising the club on Twitter, had stalled for 24 hours on his move to Loftus Road, appealing for “time and space” after passing a medical in west London on Thursday.
Yet following a day of talks with Neil Warnock he accepted an offer reported to be around €90,000 a week which, as well as representing a significant improvement on his near €80,000 a week Newcastle wage, will make him the highest paid player in QPR’s history.
Although Alan Pardew, Newcastle’s manager, had said he “would welcome” Barton back, it is understood that the St James’ Park board never contemplated offering him the contract extension he craved and were delighted at his decision to leave.
Messi inspires Barcelona to Super win
Lionel Messi scored one goal and created another as Champions League winners Barcelona lifted their fourth European Super Cup trophy after a 2-0 victory over Porto who finished with nine men.
An awful back pass by Colombia midfielder Fredy Guarin was intercepted by Messi on 39 minutes and the Argentine slotted the ball in after sidestepping goalkeeper Helton
Europa League winners Porto fell further behind when Messi chipped a pass and substitute Cesc Fabregas controlled the ball with his chest before firing in with two minutes left.
Rolando was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 86th minute and Porto team-mate Guarin received a straight red card four minutes later for lunging at Javier Mascherano.
Aquilani in loan move to Milan
AC MILAN have signed Alberto Aquilani on loan from Premier League side Liverpool with the option to buy the Italian midfielder at the end of the season, the Serie A club said yesterday.
The 27-year-old joined Liverpool from Roma in 2009 but struggled with injuries during his debut season and last season was loaned out to Juventus, where he made 33 appearances as the Bianconeri finished seventh.
The creative midfielder, who has won 17 international caps, is expected to replace veteran Andrea Pirlo, who joined Juve at the end of last season. Milan announced the signing of Aquilani on their website.
Liverpool coach Kenny Dalglish said it was the right move as he could not have guaranteed the Italian a starting spot.
Hes got his wife and kid over there. It was difficult for him here, he told the club website.
Wenger angers Bolton with bid
ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger is on a collision course with Bolton chairman Phil Gartside over the proposed signing of Gary Cahill. Arsenal have tabled an offer for the England defender which Bolton have described as “derisory”.
Bolton say the offer is €6.7m but Wenger insists that figure is incorrect. “That number is wrong,” said Wenger. “Every negotiation is between two parties and you only have to sell the player if you are all right with the price. In this case the information is below what has been spoken about.”
Bolton manager Owen Coyle has criticised the offer and chairman Gartside became involved when he retweeted a message from a fan questioning the seriousness of the bid. The retweet was later deleted.
Wenger, however, was angry at Bolton’s reaction. He said: “You only have to sell the player if you are all right with the price.You can believe Gartside or you can believe me. It’s not right. It’s not the truth.”
No weekend action in Serie A
THE Italian Football Federation has confirmed there will be no games tomorrow and Sunday in what was supposed to be the opening weekend of Serie A.
The football governing body has acted because the Lega Serie A and the Italian Players’ Union (AIC) have not signed a new collective bargaining agreement.
The FIGC’s announcement follows a statement by AIC president Damiano Tommasi which said the players would not be taking part in matches this weekend.
The FIGC announced in their own statement: “Following the decision by the players to strike after the Lega Serie A and the AIC did not sign the collective agreement, the first round of Serie A games for the 2011-12 campaign will be postponed to a later date, which will be chosen by the league.”
FIGC president Giancarlo Abete expressed his concern regarding the next round of games. “Further strikes is one of the problems that exists. The risk is there for the next round of games.”
Mata may have to wait for debut
ANDRE Villas-Boas has warned Chelsea fans they may have to wait until after the international break to see Juan Mata in action for the club, with the midfielder unlikely to feature against Norwich today.
“This league is very, very specific in terms of intensity, emotionally and culturally,” Villas-Boas said. “It doesn’t mean he’s not threatening the starting XI, but two training sessions is short for a player (at a new club).”
